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I went to b-school so I have experience and training in how to network. The problem with law school students, like you mentioned, is the awkardness. Law school students just seem to be more awkward and don't know how to build up to getting the card. Networking is really a skill that needs to be developed.

when you get to the point in the conversation where it would be natural to ask for contact info, ask for the card. just think of it as a replacement for email address/phone number. although, if you've led up to it properly, you shouldn't really have to ask.

ajax adonis wrote:Is this seriously the consensus. I've never heard such an absolute rejection of asking for business cards. Where are you coming from when you say this? Are you actually a partner, associate, otherwise employed lawyer? Or are you just a law student? Not asking to be mean, just wondering because I'd give your statement a lot more credence if it was coming from someone who's not in the same stage of life as myself (law student).

I had a long professional career in different corporate settings. If someone you are networking with wants to keep in contact - if the conversation leads to a point where keeping in touch is the natural next step - they would offer their contact information for you, either by way of a business card of asking you to take down their info. If you had to ask for it, they will give it to you, but when you contact them later it may not get anywhere - they may not wanted you to contact them in the first place.

Maybe I'm socially inept. But I have always gotten return emails when I have asked for business cards.

It usually looks something like this for me... (FWIW)-I'm clerking for a judge this summer and when I approach attorneys and ask if they would be willing to answer questions that I had. If the conversation seems to go well, I ask something like, "I know you are busy and your time is valuable, but would you be willing to give me your card? I would love to speak with you further and get your perspective on other questions I have." So far it has worked out really well.

ajax adonis wrote:Don't understand what the hate is with cards. I have initiated the asking of cards, and when I email them, I've gotten responses many times. Don't always, but I usually get at least some response.